Chillblains, Door Bells, Bethams And Costons

A Memory of Greenford.

Born at 14 Greenford Gardens, my late parents Dr & Mrs Erskine founded Greenford Surgery at 297 Greenford Road.
Earliest memories were of chilblains, no proper heating at home, and the door bell always ringing day and night, my father had open house for his patients 7 days a week.

Bethams and Costons were wonderful schools, warm, strict and encouraging.

Memories of visiting the Granada Cinema, now Tesco and seeing the organ, Lawrence of Arabia, Guns of Navaronne, itchy velvet seats, and coming out in the afternoon light with a blinding headache.

Greenford in my mind was a litter free, friendly place, and you could cycle around in safety as a youngster. Ravenor Park was a little scary on account of Teddy Boys and occasional punch ups! I was always fascinated by those concrete footings, sticking up in the grass still there, opposite the swings. Used to push stones throughout the holes and hear an echoing sound.

Oldfield Lane Library was a wonderful place to discover the world especially on cold rainy Saturday mornings.

Little Johns the bicycle and motorcycle shop in Ruislip Road, was a strange and weird place, a time warp museum, including Mr Little John himself. He was tall and mysterious, eccentric but helpful and sometimes difficult. My father went in there one day with a punctured bicycle tyre. He asked Mr Little John if he did favours in fixing punctures whilst you waited. He replied 'I don't do favours' so my dad turned round and left. Peculiar.

I also remember Lists the bakers, and Sainsburys with the beautiful mosaic floor and wooden counters, and pungent smells of cheese, coffee and meats, wonderful.

The great winter of 1963 was another event as were the smogs, and believe it or not, the gas lamp lighter man coming on his bicycle at lighting up time to light the gas lamps in Greenford Gardens.

During the great '63 freeze my father delivered a baby by candle light in Ravenor Park Road.

I wonder who it was?

Finally I have great memories of being a cub at 1st Greenford Scout Pack, next to Greenford underground station. The hut is still there, hidden under moss and ivy.

Great times!

UP DATE! 1st Greenford Scout Hut now demolished its gone!!!!